IKV 510 Cartomizer Gold V2 Drip-Style

[jivefly]

I ordered 5 of these, but after a week or so of using them, the filling starts to swell and the center hole for air flow becomes closed up. The vapor production and flavor at first was completely amazing, but very quickly these atty's have become unusable, as they swell up and fail to allow air flow. After the first one started doing this, I used a paper clip to very carefully open the airflow without damaging the nichrome coil, but that doesn't last and it soon swells again.

I took one apart and noticed that, even though I kept the filler wet with juice, and even filled it with a syringe, the bottom part of the coil had burned through the inside filler tube and into the poly fill, and that's totally not cool.

Everyone has raved about these, and I really wanted to like them, but they don't seem to be reliable. The juice just doesn't seem to stay wet enough toward the bottom of the filler, and I think that's why they burned through. Are there any other versions of these that are better? Did I pick the wrong ones, or are they all made this way?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jivefly]

Just to add, while these did work, they were probably the best vaping experience I've ever had. Awesome vapor production and I got layers of flavor from my juice that I've never had before. My main question is, are these supposed to last only a week or so, is there any way to clean them out, and when filling them, is dripping into the top the best way to do it? I thought that by using a syringe, I could get juice down into the filler more proportionately and they worked great for a little while. The thing that scared me was the burned polyfill at the bottom.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[speedemon]

I've not used those cartos but the ones i use i use the terin spin to fill never mess with a syringe to fill.I feel spin is the best fast way to get the juice down.You can also do like a thermometer flick it down.

 

[Vaporologist]

Hey jivefly, just out of curiosity, at which voltage are you using these cartos?

 

[jivefly]

I'm using a P16 with 3.7v batts. Are these supposed to be used at a higher voltage?

 

[Vaporologist]

I'm using a P16 with 3.7v batts. Are these supposed to be used at a higher voltage?

You can use them anywhere from 3.7V to 5V. I like them between 4.5 - 5.0V. I just wanted to make sure you are not running them at 6V on you P18 since that's too much voltage for these cartos (in my experience)

I don't know enough about cartos to offer you advice for this issue. I'm sure someone who does will chime in shortly.

 

[5cardstud]

You can use them anywhere from 3.7V to 5V. I like them between 4.5 - 5.0V. I just wanted to make sure you are not running them at 6V on you P18 since that's too much voltage for these cartos (in my experience)

I don't know enough about cartos to offer you advice for this issue. I'm sure someone who does will chime in shortly.

Agreed. i also don't use a syringe to fill them. I just put a carto condom with the little nubbin in them then fill them till they don't hold no more, sit them down for 5 min. to soak in, then top off and vape. When they do become plugged it's usually on the top and if your carefull you can move the filler off of the hole.

 

[jivefly]

Carto's just aren't for me. Even though the vapor, th, and flavor are simply amazing with these, I don't like the idea that the polyfill is so easily burned in these after only a week or so of use. When I took one of these apart, I noticed that there are two layers of fill.

One layer is inside, and is a slightly sturdier material to house the nichrome coil and provide airflow, and actually wick from the polyfill. The outside layer is the polyfill itself. It seems that after a few days of filling the polyfill with juice, the inside wicking layer begins to soften and becomes mushy, and eventually collapses and significantly reduces airflow. I think that when this inside layer becomes collapsed is when the coil starts burning through the material.

Great idea, great design, but the collapsing inner material is the downfall. If they used a polycarbonate that had notches or holes in it that are filled with wicking material to make contact with the coil, it would have the same function but wouldn't collapse.

 

[5cardstud]

I know people that have used these at 6volt (even though they shouldn't) ant not burned them. I've seen quite a few of these cut open and inspected and your the first person I've heard of that has burnt the filler. But jamming a syringe needle in there might have something to do with it.
But like I said before, Different people like different things and that's good because #1 Isaac couldn't handle supplying every person on ECF. #2 If everyone did like only Ikenvape cartomizers like me the rest of the vendors would be out of business. It's wonderful to live in a country where we have the right to pick and choose.

 

[atavanhalen]

Carto's just aren't for me. Even though the vapor, th, and flavor are simply amazing with these, I don't like the idea that the polyfill is so easily burned in these after only a week or so of use. When I took one of these apart, I noticed that there are two layers of fill.

One layer is inside, and is a slightly sturdier material to house the nichrome coil and provide airflow, and actually wick from the polyfill. The outside layer is the polyfill itself. It seems that after a few days of filling the polyfill with juice, the inside wicking layer begins to soften and becomes mushy, and eventually collapses and significantly reduces airflow. I think that when this inside layer becomes collapsed is when the coil starts burning through the material.

Great idea, great design, but the collapsing inner material is the downfall. If they used a polycarbonate that had notches or holes in it that are filled with wicking material to make contact with the coil, it would have the same function but wouldn't collapse.

5card made a good point and I would like to add that, some vaping habits/styles just do not get along with cartos. I am one of those people as well, but if you have not tried Ikenvapes lr 306 then I would suggest doing that.

 

[5cardstud]

5card made a good point and I would like to add that, some vaping habits/styles just do not get along with cartos. I am one of those people as well, but if you have not tried Ikenvapes lr 306 then I would suggest doing that.

Good point atavanhalen and so true. I am the opposite only because I hate the constant fiddling with atties. The dripping and so on. I like to fill it, put it on, and forget it until it's empty. I bet though that there are as many atty vapers in the ecig world, or possibly even more, than there are cartomizer users. Each person has their right way and wrong way, or to put it better, their own cup of tea.
I do use an atty on occasion and the 306 is as atavan said one great atty as is my favorite the 801 mini.

 

[player30]

Agreeing with the op, I have had the same issues. I have used alot of Gold V2s and like them so much that they are a part of my signature. But in my most recent order, it was almost as if there was too much filler in them. They vape fine for a short period, and then no air flow at all. I got both the silver & black and it was the same with both of them. I have been using the Fusions I orderd after that, because I am a little bit gun shy with the Golds now.

 

[Wylie]

I hope that's a fluke. I've got 10 on the way...

 

[jivefly]

5card, I understand the workings of this atty, and made no damage by "jamming a syringe" in there. I gently used a very fine syringe to apply juice to the bottom end of the filler, without disturbing any of the mechanics or inner workings. I'm making a point that some of these may be defective, packed too tightly, or could possibly use a design change. Out of the several that I purchased, they've all basically done the same thing within a week of vaping. That's why I was asking if it's supposed to be this way.

player30, I'm sorry to hear you are having issues as well, but somewhat glad to know I'm not the only one.

 

[5cardstud]

5card, I understand the workings of this atty, and made no damage by "jamming a syringe" in there. I gently used a very fine syringe to apply juice to the bottom end of the filler, without disturbing any of the mechanics or inner workings. I'm making a point that some of these may be defective, packed too tightly, or could possibly use a design change. Out of the several that I purchased, they've all basically done the same thing within a week of vaping. That's why I was asking if it's supposed to be this way.

player30, I'm sorry to hear you are having issues as well, but somewhat glad to know I'm not the only one.

Well anything can be defective when they are made of course. I got 15 of them a couple weeks ago and Mine are working fine. The only filler I get in the vent hole is from when I overfill then use the bottle to suck the excess back in the bottle but it's only on the top. I believe you though. The only issues I've had are the center post issues but I've talked to Isaac about that.

 

[Switched]

I ordered 5 of these, but after a week or so of using them, the filling starts to swell and the center hole for air flow becomes closed up. The vapor production and flavor at first was completely amazing, but very quickly these atty's have become unusable, as they swell up and fail to allow air flow. After the first one started doing this, I used a paper clip to very carefully open the airflow without damaging the nichrome coil, but that doesn't last and it soon swells again.

I took one apart and noticed that, even though I kept the filler wet with juice, and even filled it with a syringe, the bottom part of the coil had burned through the inside filler tube and into the poly fill, and that's totally not cool.

Everyone has raved about these, and I really wanted to like them, but they don't seem to be reliable. The juice just doesn't seem to stay wet enough toward the bottom of the filler, and I think that's why they burned through. Are there any other versions of these that are better? Did I pick the wrong ones, or are they all made this way?

Thanks,
Chris

I'm using a P16 with 3.7v batts. Are these supposed to be used at a higher voltage?

Carto's just aren't for me. Even though the vapor, th, and flavor are simply amazing with these, I don't like the idea that the polyfill is so easily burned in these after only a week or so of use. When I took one of these apart, I noticed that there are two layers of fill.

One layer is inside, and is a slightly sturdier material to house the nichrome coil and provide airflow, and actually wick from the polyfill. The outside layer is the polyfill itself. It seems that after a few days of filling the polyfill with juice, the inside wicking layer begins to soften and becomes mushy, and eventually collapses and significantly reduces airflow. I think that when this inside layer becomes collapsed is when the coil starts burning through the material.

Great idea, great design, but the collapsing inner material is the downfall. If they used a polycarbonate that had notches or holes in it that are filled with wicking material to make contact with the coil, it would have the same function but wouldn't collapse.

As others have chimed in, vaping style will definitely play a large role wrt carto longevity. I am one of them as well who burns through the sides. I take 2-3 consecutive pulls on my PV. This is OK with carts or dripping not so with cartos. I notice on many many videos folks taking 5-6 sec toots at HV with cartos. I would like to know how they do it? Dollars to donuts they have scorched and an autopsy would confirm my suspicions.

A carto is designed to last one fill, that is what they are designed to do, many folks get extended service out of their cartos. The life expectancy of a carto varies from days to weeks. I had one last me 5 weeks. The average is 2 weeks before they become greasy and go stale, or if I didn't scorch it. I know when I scorch one and it gets tossed. I do not clean my cartos, I toss 'em. Cleaning has not paid dividends for me, regardless of cleaning methods. IMO a carto that last a week, has paid for itself, the rest - bonus

 

[ZooKansas]

Having the exact same problems as Jive and player30. Was super excited about my first "IkenVape" cartomizers. Using a Riva(3.7V) with Boge's before, with no problems, just figured I'd try the IkenVapes due to popular reviews and novel design. I respect any vendor that strives to make a vaping product better, as Isaac has. But, the goldV2's and even the platinumv2's don't work for me. Very tight draw, tiny center hole, packed tightly, and just under-performing compared to Boge's and even smoketech's I've used. However, I also got a LRMega510, and it's working great! Wish I knew to order this one for my device, as it seems perfect for a 3.7, much larger capacity than a boge, and good, warm vapor/flavor. So, I'm convinced that the other cartomizers are made for higher voltage devices, again I'm using a 3.7 Riva, 750mah. I was very careful with these on the initial fill as well, but the goldv2/dtip burned on me unexpectedly, and I know it was filled to the brim with juice. I let it soak up and sit for a while. Did not touch the inner workings whatsoever. Oh well. Need to make a point, I got amazing customer service! Isaac threw in an extra platinumv2 for me with a hand-written note explaining that I might like it better, and it's better than the goldv2, but still a hard draw. I emailed Isaac about the issue. I'm more interested in their LR510 ATTY at this point, as I discovered dripping with a good ATTY will be great for me at home, cartomizers for out and about, especially stealth vaping at work. Vape-on good people.

 

[gonzojazz]

I hate to say it but I'm thinking that the resent shipments of V2 Golds are not as good as they were when they first came out. I just filled one of the more recent black ones and am finding the draw to be quite stiff right from the get-go. The earlier ones had a nice easy draw at first and then gradually got tighter as the filler swelled. I found this to be acceptable as I got a lot of great vaping in before they eventually got too tight to be enjoyable. This is rather worrisome to have one this tight right from the start. They even look like they have more filler in them, which is IMO, not a good thing. After initially loving the V2 Golds, I'm now leaning towards the Megas and especially the Fusions (which are amazing).

 

[5cardstud]

Well I said it before and I'll say it again. I love them. I couldn't handle any more vapor and have yet to burn one. I do take double and triple puffs too. Oh and my doc said my bronchial tubes look way better than last checkup. I think it is in the way people vape. I'm one of the people that relates atomizers to when I first started with the joye 510. I hate all the fiddling and constant filling or dripping. I just don't care to use atomizers but each to their own. Besides I would probably hate not having a fusion on my PV. No problem with the vapor I get.

 

[Switched]

... we are going to have to call you Fogman